Oil and Gas Operations

Question 1

What might be found in a gas well?

Answer 1

Primarily gas hydrocarbons with oil, water, and other contaminants that need to be separated

Question 2

What might be found in an oil well?

Answer 2

Primarily liquid hydrocarbons with gas, sand, water, and other contaminants that need to be separated

Question 3

Why does crude oil undergo separation process at wellsite?

Answer 3

Production separator removes sand, salt water, and natural gas

A test separator separates a well from all other incoming wells in order to analyze and characterize the well based on flow and hydrocarbon content

Question 4

Why does natural gas undergo separation process at wellsite?

Answer 4

To meet pipeline specifications

Question 5

How is natural gas transferred from a wellsite separator to a processing plant?

Answer 5

Via a gathering line

Question 6

Why is metering important in the oil and gas industry?

Answer 6

Track the export of oil and gas and custody transfer

Question 7

How are refined products distributed?

Answer 7

Refined products that are imported or come from refineries are transported via a pipeline for shipping and storage.

Question 8

Which organization set the measurement requirements for oil and gas operation in
Alberta?

Answer 8

Alberta Energy Regulator

Question 9

The reason for multiple metering runs in a metering station is so that one meter will not have to handle the full capacity range. T/F

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What does LACT mean?

Answer 10

Lease Automatic Custody Transfer

Question 11

The industry sector that processes, stores and transports commodities such as crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs, mainly ethane, propane, butane) and sulphur is called ________.

Answer 11

Midstream

Question 12

When a leak occurs in a pipeline, the pressure of the line downstream of the leak location will _________.

Answer 12

Decrease

Question 13

Describe visual leak detection.

Answer 13

A visual inspection of damaged wildlife or the environment. No technology involved but it is subjective.

Question 14

Describe addition of odorants for leak detection.

Answer 14

Mercaptans are added to detect an odor. Can be detected by residents in the area but weather such as heavy wind can affect the effectiveness of this method.

Question 15

Describe using flow balances for leak detection.

Answer 15

Uses meters to compare flow rates in and out of the pipe. Allows for continuous monitoring but does not let the user know the exact leak location.

Question 16

Describe noise measurement for leak detection.

Answer 16

The noise frequency of a leak can be detected with a transducer. Can detect leaks underground but relies on personnel walking the pipelines.

Question 17

Describe acoustic leak detection.

Answer 17

When a leak occurs the sudden drop in pressure followed by a surge in pressure is recorded. Allows for continuous monitoring but needs sensors mounted at certain intervals in the pipe.

Question 18

Describe pig based monitoring.

Answer 18

If a leak is detected a pig is launched into a pipe to detect a leak and inspect pipe integrity. Can be expensive and the process has to be taken offline.

Question 19

Describe computer based monitoring.

Answer 19

Data is compiled in a computer and compared to nominal operation to detect leaks. Can be very expensive due to instrumentation requirements.